Approximately 90 per cent of new HIV diagnoses among iTaukei

Approximately 90 per cent of Fiji’s new HIV diagnoses in 2025 were among the iTaukei population, with young people also accounting for a significant proportion of cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Penioni Ravunawa highlighted the figures during International Youth Day and the launch of the University of Fiji HIV prevention campaign at the UniFiji Saweni Campus in Lautoka on Friday.

“When we invest in the health and wellbeing of our young people, we are investing directly in Fiji’s human capital, productivity, resilience and national development,” he said.

National challenge

Mr Ravunawa said Fiji’s future was being challenged by one of the most serious public health threats confronting the country.

“Fiji is experiencing a rapidly escalating HIV epidemic,” he said.

“In 2025, Fiji recorded 2016 new HIV diagnoses compared with 245 in 2022. Current estimates indicate that around 12,000 people may now be living with HIV, with approximately one in every 60 adults aged 15 to 49 affected.”

Of particular concern was the impact on young people.

“Two-thirds of those diagnosed in 2025 were between 20 and 34 years of age. We have also seen a 45 per cent increase in infections among children and teenagers aged 10 to 19 years,” he said.

“Approximately 90 per cent of new diagnoses are among our iTaukei population while infections among women are also increasing.”

Mr Ravunawa said the figures represented more than statistics.

“Behind every diagnosis is a person. Behind every person is a family. And behind every young person is a future we have responsibility to protect,” Mr Ravunawa said.

“HIV is no longer somebody else’s problem. It is a national public health challenge requiring a whole of Government and society’s response.”

He said the Government could not tackle the challenge alone.